Since the substance is also transparent, it can be tinted in any imaginable color. It is flexible, virtually indestructible, and allows for highly delicate processing. "TROGAMID CX just doesn't create any problems in everyday handling. We like to call it 'trouble-free'," says Hülsmann with a smile. Tests performed by the TÜV Rheinland testing institute have demonstrated just how sturdy the plastic made by Evonik really is. Some test series involved bouncing steel balls off TROGAMID lenses–without leaving a trace of damage. Such tests are crucial to determine the breakage safety of lenses, for example during sports, when a ball may hit a pair of glasses. Breaking glass or splintering plastic lenses would be disastrous in that case.
Breakage safety is particularly important for children
Breakage safety is an important issue for children's sunglasses. "Children should always wear high-quality plastic lenses and plastic eyeglass frames to effectively prevent injuries," advises Dr. Frank Holz, professor and medical director of the Ophthalmology Clinic at Bonn University Hospital. Splinters of real glass could lead to eye damage and temples that break during a fall may cause injury. Caution is advised, as the harm caused by cheap plastic toy sunglasses can do more damage than good. "Toy sunglasses are not sufficient in any case," emphasizes Holz. They become brittle after a short time and the risk of injury increases, which makes high-value plastic materials a good choice here. On the other hand, sunglasses made of plain materials generally do not offer sufficient UV protection, which is essential for children and adults, as the eye expert explains. Even though many people view sunglasses as a fashion accessory, physicians consider them indispensable to maintain ocular health, especially in the summer. "Sunglasses protect the sensitive retinal tissue of the eye, particularly in the presence of intense sunlight," says Holz.
Protection against facial skin irritation
Although sunglasses primarily protect the eyes, they also have to be gentle on the skin. During the summer heat, our faces tend to sweat more than usual, including in places where glasses touch the skin. That requires additional caution with the metallic temples of sunglasses, especially for those with nickel allergies. Even temples and nose pads that are coated with non-allergenic material may become eroded by sweat and release allergenic material, says Berlin dermatologist Dr. Jeanette Eicholtz. "Glasses made of plastic are relatively unproblematic in that regard," she advises. Nickel allergy symptoms include skin rash and itching at the contact points. Even those who are not allergic may notice red skin, particularly in the area of the nose pads. "That tends to be caused by contact pressure, possibly because the glasses weigh a little more," says Eicholtz. Conversely, that means lighter glasses made of non-allergenic TROGAMID are associated with fewer problems.
